Building structure reinforcement



Aug 31, 1937. w. s. HEWETT BUILDING STRUCTURE REINFORCEMENT Filed Dec. 9, 1955 exl,

\ j M Rw] lll l .Il.n |\II|| \I\ WIVIIIL This invention relates to a reinforcement in the nature of a tension rod applicable to building structures of various kinds. In particular it is maybe applied over the wall so as to bury the adaptedfor concrete structures such as tanks,

the walls of which are integral or formed ofblocks, staves, or other units. For convenience in Referring now to Fig. 2, the opposite end pordescription I shall refer hereinafter to the structure as a. tank having cylindrical walls about which the reinforcing tension rods are adapted to be applied.

It is highly important that some reinforcement. as for example, a plurality of tension rods, be incorporated into or associated with the walls of a building structure wherein outwardly directed forces are to be withstood. It is equally important that the tension rods so applied should be tightened in place to a degree which may be accurately determined, and then secured. permanently under such tension. It is accordingly a primary object of this invention to provide a means and method for securing reinforcing rods in place under a tension which may be accurately determined and maintained, ,thereby avoiding guess-work and variation in the tension of the several rods which together form the reinforcement for such a structure. ject in a way which is entirely simple, practical, and certain, and which renders the structure safer and stronger than would otherwise be the case.

Referring to the drawing which illustrates one embodiment of my invention:-.

Figure l is' a fragmentary vertical section through a cylindrical concrete structure, such as a tank, showing a series of reinforcing rods applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of opposite end portions of a tension rod whose extremities are slightly spaced ready to be drawn toward each other in a tightening operation with the aid of a piston mechanism which is shown in section; quence. The tension under which the rod is thereby placed is registered concurrently upon the indicator, so that the attendant is informed at every moment as to the exact tension under which the rod is being placed.

The nal step in the operation involves the permanent sccurement of the two rod ends. This may conveniently be done by welding with the aid of two connecting bars c and d, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. These bars are arranged one above and the other below the two end portions of the rod to be connected in overlapping relation, I have illustrated in Fig. 1 the main cylintion thereto. As shown, the connecting bars drical wall W of a concrete tank adapted to contain liquid, granular material, or other desired 55 product. Surrounding this wall.are a series of Fig. 3 is a similar view with the piston mechanism in elevation, the rod ends being shown as drawn much closer to each other and secured permanently together as by means of connecting bars;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail in section on line l of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a View in elevation of the overlapped rod ends joined without the use of connecting bars such as are shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

By the way of exemplification, but not limita- E Patented Aug. 3l, 1937 2,091,444 nUmmNG STRUCTURE nEINFoncEMEN'r William S. Hewett, Elmhurst, Ill. Application December e, 193s, serial No. 53,479 komm. (c1. zc-13) UNiTl-:DsTATEsPATENT OFFICE tension rods R which engage the outer face f thereof. If desired, an outer concrete veneer V tension rods and afford a suitable exterior surface to the building structure.

tions of the rod `are designated as a and br I secure to each such end portion, at a relatively short distance from its extremity, a two-piece clip 5 from-which depends a bracket 6. One of these brackets is in connection with a stem 1 extending through a packing box 8 at one end of a cylinder forming part.v of a piston mechanism?. The opposite stem end is joined to a plunger I0 that is slidingly fitted Within the cylinder. posite end of the cylinder connection is made with a second stern Il which joins to the 'bracket 6 depending from the other clip 5. A conduit i2 leads to the cylinder for connection therewith at a point opposite a port M which is close to the packing box. AA second port l5 also in proximity to the packing box communicates with a fitting it in connection with a pressure gauge il.

In operation, a reinforcing tension rod is placed around the building structure preliminary to its I accomplish this obbeing tightened and secured in place.

when so placed are clear of the piston mechanism so that a welding operation may be conveniently performed. If desired, these bars may be secured t the opv The opposite rod ends are brought close together, yet in spaced relation, somewhat as indicated in Fig. 2. 'I'he clips 5 are applied thereto but at a slight distance from the rod extremities, about as shown. It will be noted that the clips, when engaging the rod, do not extend beyond its inner face which engages tightly the outer face f of the structural wall (see Fig. 4) to which it is applied. With the clips connected in place, the piston mechanism is operated by admitting fluid pressure through the conduit i2 whereby it may force the plunger endwise through the cylinder, one end of the rod being drawn toward the other in conscto one end portion of the rod-in advance of the welding operation upon the other rod end portion. In either case these bars may be regarded as an extension upon one rod end in overlapping 5 relation to the other rod end. When the union is completed. the two connecting bars will have formed a permanent and fixed jointure with the two end portions of the rod enclosed between them. Upon release of the pulling force exerted l by the piston mechanism, the two connecting bars will maintain the rod under the same tension as before, viz., that which was registered upon the indicator. The use of two such connecting bars, arranged upon opposite sides of the connected l ends of the tension rod, assuresa balancing of forces such that any tendency toward buckling or misalignment is obviated.

By the use of a tightening mechanism, whether of the piston type or otherwise, in conjunction -with an associated tension indicator, it is possible to permanently secure together the end portions of the several rods which desirably should be maintained under a uniform Orpredetermined tension. In this manner every portion of the building structure is reinforced exactly according to its proper requirements. For withstanding of substantial internal forces which must be resisted by external reinforcement, the method of applying and securing tension rods according to my invention is highly advantageous.

In the preceding description, I have referred to apiston mechanism as a suggested means for tightening the rod. I would have it'understood that any mechanical device suitable for the purposemay be employed, a piston mechanism being merely one example. Also I have referred to the `securement oi opposite end portions of a rod while maintained under a predetermined or known tension, but obviously the two ends so joined should be interpreted to include as well the ends of two rods which may be joined elsewhere to each other or otherwise anchored to a xed base. My reference to rod ends which are overlapped is intended to include extensions, such as are formed-by the connecting bars, as well as a construction in which such extra connecting parts are omitted-as for example where the end portions and y of the rod directly engage with each other, as suggested in Fig. 5. I claim: v

1. The process of securing the overlapped ends of a rod under a desired tension when the external face of an enclosing building structure Wall, which comprises connecting to points adjacent the rod ends an adjustable tightening device having an associated tension indicator, drawing the rod thereby until a desired tension has been reached as disclosed by the indicator, permanently and fixedly securing to each other the overlapped rod ends while the rod is so maintained at a desired tension. and thereafter disconnecting the tightening device from the rod ends. l

2. The process of securing the overlapped ends of a rod while maintained under a desired tension Vupon the external face of an enclosing building structure wall, which comprises application to the rod near opposite overlapped ends thereof of a tightening device having an associated tension, indicator, in operating the device to place the rod under a desired tension as disclosed by the indicator, in permanently and xedly securing to each other the overlapped rod ends while the rod is maintained at such a desired tension, and thereafter in disconnecting the tightening device from the rod.

3. The process of securing the overlapped ends of a rod while maintained under a desired tension upon an enclosing building structure, which comprises application to the rod near opposite overlapped ends thereof of a tightening device having an associated tension indicator, in operating the device to place the rod under a desired tension as disclosed by the indicator, in welding two connecting rods to the overlapped rod ends upon opposite sides thereof while the rod is maintained at such a desired tension whereby to secure the rod ends permanently together, and thereafter disconnecting the tightening device from the rod.

4. A tightening means for a tension rod affixed to the walls of a building structure anu ex.- tended peripherally thereof with its opposite ends in adjacent relation, including mechanism having reciprocating parts, means detachably 'connecting the reciprocating parts with the two end portions o f the rod in a manner which will per-v mit,the said mechanism to tighten the rod adjustably upon the structure walls and hold the rod ends in position for securing one to the other, and means co-acting with the tightening means affording an indication of the tension in the rod at all moments while undergoing adjustment about said structure.

5. A tightening means for a tension rod affixed to the walls of a building structure and extended peripherally thereof with its opposite ends in adjacent relation, including a cylinder, a piston reciprocable within the cylinder in response to fluid pressure, means for detachably connecting the cylinder and .piston respectively to opposite end portions of the rod in a manner which will permit the said cylinder and piston to tighten the rod upon the structure walls and hold the rod ends in position for securing one to the other, and means co-acting with the cylinder affording an indication of the tension in the rod at all moments while undergoing adjustment about said structure.

WILLIAM S. HEWE'I'I. 

